Dubai Duty Free draw: Indian expat in UAE wins $1m; Pakistani winner unaware of jackpot
Dubai: An Indian expat and a Pakistani expat are the latest winners of the Dubai Duty Free (DDF) Millennium Millionaire draw, each taking home a prize of $1 million. However, while the Indian winner is celebrating, the Pakistani winner remains unaware of his windfall.
Biju Therool, a 49-year-old Indian expat in Dubai and father of two, won the prize in Series 499 of the draw. He purchased the winning ticket (0437) on April 19 at Terminal 2 of Dubai International Airport, just before flying home to his hometown in the south Indian state of Kerala for a vacation.
A long-time Dubai resident, Therool has been living in the UAE for 20 years and works for a retail chain. He has been participating in the DDF promotion for the past five years.
'Thank you very much Dubai Duty Free. I'm so happy with this win!' he said after being informed of the life-changing news.
Therool becomes the 248th Indian national to win US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion since its inception in 1999. Indian nationals remain the largest group of ticket buyers in the draw's history, according to DDF.
'Uncontactable' winners
Meanwhile, Muhammad Gumman, a Pakistani national based in Saudi Arabia, was announced as the winner of Series 498, having purchased his ticket (number 2990) online on April 12. He is the 26th Pakistani to win the DDF jackpot since 1999.
However, organisers say Gumman has yet to be reached and is currently uncontactable, though he is 'no doubt set to be delighted' when he learns of his unexpected fortune.
The draw was held on Wednesday at Concourse D of Dubai International Airport.
Interestingly, two other winners—who bagged a luxury car and a motorbike respectively in the Finest Surprise draw held after the million-dollar announcements—were also uncontactable.
In the case of a Dutch national, the win was a remarkable stroke of luck—his second with Dubai Duty Free.
Albert Walraven, a Dutch national based in the UAE, won a Range Rover SE P360 (Batumi Gold) with ticket number 1171 in Series 1919. He had purchased the ticket online in April.
Walraven, who is currently uncontactable, had previously won a Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe in Series 1470 back in January 2012, according to the organisers.
Similarly, Soma Nagaraj, an Indian national residing in the UAE, won an Indian 101 Scout (Sunset Red Metallic) motorbike, but could also not be reached for immediate comment, according to DDF officials.
He won the bike in Series 621 with ticket number 0409, purchased online on 8 April.
Another Pak winner from Saudi
Meanwhile, another Pakistani national based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, won a Land Rover Defender 110 V8 525 Edition (Santorini Black) in Series 1921.
Saadullah Malik, 39, purchased his winning ticket (1066) in Concourse D on 18 April, while returning to Riyadh.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
10 hours ago
- Arabian Post
AixuSpeed reaches $500K commitment in pre‑sale boom
AixuSpeed has recorded over US $500,000 in token purchase commitments within the opening 72 hours of its pre‑sale, signalling strong early interest in this meme‑inspired digital asset. The pre‑sale commenced on 6 June 2025 and rapidly surpassed half a million dollars in pledges by 9 June 2025. The project's emphasis on rapid transaction settlement—claimed to settle in under a second—appears to resonate with buyers seeking frictionless crypto payments. AixuSpeed positions itself as more than a playful token, blending meme‑driven community appeal with a payment infrastructure optimised for speed and lean fees. The founders highlight a use case aimed at enabling micropayments—such as tipping for digital content or purchasing small goods—without the usual cryptocurrency delays. Co‑founder Sara 'AiXuSpeed_' Akram encapsulated the mission: 'People love the fun of memes but hate waiting ten minutes for a coffee on‑chain… your transaction travels faster than the joke itself.' The start‑up combines talk of sub‑second settlements with a tokenomics model designed to incentivise both usage and community growth. The pre‑sale is capped at one billion tokens, with audited liquidity locks in place to guard against early pump‑and‑dump scenarios. These steps seek to reassure early backers of the project's commitment to stability. ADVERTISEMENT Promised transaction features include extremely low fees, gas efficiency tailored for nano‑transactions, and security via audited smart contracts. Weekly meme‑contests, NFT airdrops, and viral‑marketing strategies complement the technical value proposition, appealing to users who engage with crypto on social and entertainment platforms. Ahead of a planned decentralised exchange listing in the third quarter of 2025, AixuSpeed expects a tighter circulating supply and intends to initiate a Speed Grants programme to support third‑party developers building integrations for games, social apps, and e‑commerce systems. A cross‑chain bridge, targeting Ethereum Layer 2 and Solana, is scheduled for deployment in the fourth quarter. Crypto analysts confirm that the meme coin market has matured, increasingly blending narrative‑driven hype with functional attributes. The success of tokens such as Dogecoin, Shiba Inu and others has encouraged new entrants to emphasise utility—particularly in payment infrastructure, speedy confirmations, and affordable micro‑payment services. Industry observers see AixuSpeed's approach as reflective of broader shifts. With global crypto usage increasingly focused on everyday digital interactions—streamer tipping, pay‑per‑article access, mobile vending—tokens that can process ultra‑fast and micro‑scaled transactions may satisfy a gap left by traditional payment rails. The project's emphasis on near‑zero fees could prove significant; historically, micropayment models struggle with high gas costs on Ethereum and similar networks. However, the crypto sector is littered with pre‑sale projects failing to follow through. While current commitments underscore interest, delivery of speed claims will depend on robust network architecture. Audit documentation confirms that smart contracts have been reviewed, but comprehensive analysis of throughput performance remains pending independent review. ADVERTISEMENT More cautious voices in the blockchain community point out that meme branding can obscure technical fragilities. A prioritisation of viral campaigns and community incentives must still be grounded in reliable infrastructure to avoid user attrition or reputational damage. Achieving sub‑second confirmation requires strong network validators and resilient consensus protocols to maintain finality and resist double‑spend attacks. Comparisons have been drawn with Kaanch Network, a Dubai‑headquartered Layer 1 blockchain facilitating institutional tokenisation and real‑world asset frameworks. That project raised over $1.12 million in presale and emphasised sub‑second finality and high scalability. While Kaanch targets a higher‑end institutional use case with compliance and regulatory layers, AixuSpeed appears to focus on mass consumer use and community engagement. The contrast underscores diverging paths in the next wave of token presales: utility for business versus utility for consumers. The $500,000 threshold reached by AixuSpeed is modest in absolute terms compared to multi‑million dollar raises in top‑tier projects. Nonetheless, meeting that target so quickly suggests resonance with investors seeking culturally rich tokens paired with distinct usage claims. Execution over the next six months will determine whether that initial interest solidifies into long‑term value. Live community sentiment across crypto forums underscores excitement tempered by vigilance. One commentator in a blockchain discussion said: 'They're promising fast transactions and low fees—if they deliver it could be a breakout. But I want to see stress tests.' Such voices reflect the rational‑optimistic posture of well‑informed retail and minor institutional investors. Analysts stress that vesting schedules, liquidity availability, and team retention will also influence long‑term health. The audit of liquidity locks must be transparent and rigorously maintained to build investor trust. Additionally, the intended Speed Grants programme must be backed by fresh capital and developer interest to generate ecosystem vibrancy, rather than serving as symbolic goodwill. Roadmap clarity will be tested as the token approaches listing phases later in the year. Delays in bridge deployment or grant distributions could dampen sentiment. Conversely, strong integration wins—such as inclusion in a popular e‑commerce plugin or a gaming micro‑transaction pilot—could validate project potential. Crypto‑finance observers recommend scrutiny of on‑chain metrics once the DEX listing occurs. Circulating supply figures, early holder distributions, and active wallet counts will be essential early indicators. Long term success will depend on sustained usage beyond speculative trading: on‑chain activity tied to real value exchange would elevate AixuSpeed above meme token competitors.
Time Out Abu Dhabi
15 hours ago
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
There's been a brilliant visa update for Indian tourists travelling to the Philippines
Got the Philippines on your travel list? If you're an Indian national, packing for paradise just got a whole lot simpler. Starting June 8, Indian passport holders can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 14 days for tourism purposes – no lengthy embassy visits or paperwork required. All you need is a passport valid for six months beyond your stay, proof of accommodation, funds to cover your trip and a return or onward ticket. That's your beach getaway sorted. But it gets even better. According to the same announcement, made by the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, if you're an Indian citizen holding a valid visa or residence permit for the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore or the Schengen area, you can extend your island time to a full 30 days – no visa necessary. Just show your valid passport and return ticket at the border and you're in. The visa-free entry applies at all Philippine ports and while extensions aren't on the table (so don't overstay your welcome), this move is a major step towards smoother travel between India and the archipelago nation. There are a few fine-print notes: the policy is strictly for tourism. If you're transiting through, planning a longer stay, or heading to the Philippines for business, study or work, you'll still need to apply for the relevant visa through the usual consulate channels. Still, for Indian travellers dreaming of white sands, warm seas and unforgettable Filipino hospitality, this is very good news indeed. Need some travel inspo? Travelling from Abu Dhabi is about to be so much faster Zayed International Airport is the world's first airport to make this change 18 countries offering visa-on-arrival to UAE residents Here's where to go UAE citizens now get visa-on-arrival for India: a game-changer for travellers That quick trip to India just got even easier
Hi Dubai
15 hours ago
- Hi Dubai
Mohammed bin Rashid Launches Dubai Metro Blue Line to Transform Urban Mobility
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has officially laid the foundation stone for the Dubai Metro Blue Line, marking a major leap forward in the emirate's transportation infrastructure. Spanning 30 kilometres with 14 new stations, the Blue Line is set to connect nine key districts and serve over one million residents by 2040. Expanding Dubai's Rail Network The Blue Line will link the existing Green and Red Lines through interchange stations at Al Jaddaf, Al Rashidiya, and International City 1. It will stretch from Creek Station to Centrepoint Station, covering strategic areas including Mirdif, Al Warqa, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Academic City. The project also features the first-ever metro viaduct crossing Dubai Creek and the largest underground interchange station in the network. Once complete, Dubai's rail system will extend to 131 kilometres, with 78 stations and 168 trains, cementing the metro's role as the backbone of the city's mass transit system. A Record-Breaking Iconic Station Among the Blue Line's standout features is the Emaar Properties Station in Dubai Creek Harbour. Designed by global architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the 74-metre-tall structure will be the world's highest metro station. Covering 11,000 square metres, it will accommodate up to 160,000 passengers daily and is expected to see 70,000 daily users by 2040. The station's design merges luxury and function, featuring materials like Jura limestone, bronze panels, and granite flooring. Natural light, elegant spatial design, and sustainable architecture embody Dubai's vision of future-ready infrastructure. Driving Sustainability and Economic Growth The Blue Line supports the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, reinforcing goals such as reduced traffic congestion, increased land value near stations, and enhanced public mobility. According to RTA projections, the line will generate over AED 56.5 billion in total economic, environmental, and social benefits by 2040, with a benefit-cost ratio of 2.60. It will also help reduce traffic congestion by 20% in areas it serves and support Dubai's "20-minute city" vision, ensuring that essential services are within a short commute for residents. The Blue Line is designed to serve rapidly growing communities and economic hubs. It will provide direct metro access to Dubai International Airport and nine major areas, including Dubai Festival City, International City, and Academic City—which is projected to accommodate over 50,000 university students by 2029. The project also ensures seamless multimodal connectivity with dedicated bus bays, bike and e-scooter parking, and facilities for people of determination. A New Era in Public Transport Since its inauguration in 2009, the Dubai Metro has transported over 2.5 billion passengers and currently averages 900,000 daily riders. With the addition of the Blue Line, the network's capacity will exceed 850,000 passengers per day. Daily ridership on the Blue Line alone is expected to hit 200,000 by 2030 and 320,000 by 2040. The Blue Line is the fifth strategic addition to Dubai's transit system, following the Red and Green Lines, the Dubai Tram, and Route 2020. It represents a critical step toward making Dubai the world's best city to live in—an ambition firmly rooted in sustainable development and smart urban planning. News Source: Dubai Media Office
